Human Rights Campaign Endorses PrEP, Calls for More Access

The nation's largest and most influential LGBT advocacy group puts its stamp of approval on Truvada, a drug that's been shown to dramatically reduce HIV transmission.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

October 19 2014 10:26 AM EST

July 23 2019 3:22 AM EST

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The Human Rights Campaign has come out in support of Truvada for use in pre-exposure prophylaxis and pushed for Truvada's manufacturer to make it available to more people at risk of contracting HIV.

HRC's endorsement came from a policy paper released on Saturday. The group joins organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Gay Men's Health Crisis, AIDS United, and the World Health Organization in publicly endorsing the FDA-approved Truvada. For those at high risk of contracting HIV, Truvada, when taken regularly, reduces HIV risk by 96 percent to 99 percent.

"PrEP is a dose of hope, taken once daily. Today, there is an unprecedented chance to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States, in part through PrEP's aggressive prevention of new HIV infections," HRC president Chad Griffin (pictured) said in a statement. "There is no reason -- medical or otherwise -- to discourage individuals from taking control of their sexual health and talking to their doctor about PrEP. Bold action must be taken to guarantee affordable access to this life-changing regimen."

The policy paper from the HRC also encouraged more access to Truvada for those disproportionately affected by HIV. Specifically, Griffin wants costs reduced, more education, and universal access.